So easy!
Today we awoke to torrential rains. We drank coffee on the deck and waited out the storm. Willi and I than rented bicycles for cheap and rode 15k to a essentially private beach. We captured great photos of us flipping off of a log in the ocean.
The ride was really fun and we saw plenty of beautiful birds and frogs. Sadly on the way back Willi's bike broke catastrophically. For whatever reason all the gears would spin but not spin the back tire. We ran into a random local on the side of his property and he beat the crap out of the bike with a hammer. Somehow unknowingly with my vast knowledge of bicycles and their parts this temporarily alleviated the problem. We are pretty sure the man just randomly hitting the bike with a hammer and having it work again was a miracle.
It occurred again and again but we eventually made it back to bocas town. The weather turned back into torrential downpour but we had a fantastic ride home, fun at happy hour, and wonderful dinner. Willi convinced me during happy hour to have a tequila suicide, which is a free shot of tequile accompanied with snorting a line of salt and getting lime squeezed into your eye! Not very pleasant at all but it makes for a great story. We then had dinner on a boat and it was cheap, delicious, and everything that we wanted. It truly was another beautiful day in paradise and it is sad that not everyone could be here for it
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Where do I start?
I will start by saying happy thanksgiving!
I will transcribe events as they happened in order beginning with last night. Last night we went to a bar on the water, essentially a large dock. It was pretty fun with very cheap drinks and beautiful views. The most notable thing is there was a roof you could jump off into the water. It was heaps of fun, and we did backflips into the water.
We woke up early this morning, had free pancakes and coffee, then boarded a boat for a $20 tour. The tour started by taking us to an area frequently frequented by dolphins that like to eat the jellyfish in the water there. We saw about 10 dolphins including 2 that loved the boats wake when the boat drove in circles. They kept leaping out of the water, playing like little kids on the wave.
After the dolphins we went snorkeling for about an hour and saw a lot of great sealife. There were many colorful fish, urchins, fantastic soft corral, starfish, and even some seaslugs. After diving and haphazardly deciding that I am going to become a marine biologist when I return to the states, we had an excellent seafood lunch. I had a giant portion of calamari and loved every bite.
We departed the island and pulled up on a seemingly obscure shore. So many of the small islands are so thick with mangroves it is not possible to do anything. They are a jail of twisted roots and branches with nobody entering or exiting. The shore we pulled up to had an interesting inlet with a variety of large trees. There we saw nearly 7 three-toed sloths chilling in the branches. One the boat pulled up close to, and the sloth moved away very slooooooowly. Sloths are sooo unique, and can not survive a life on the ground. The muscles they have are only fit for moving about the jungle canopy or swimming. If they find themselves on the ground they are too weak to support themselves. Fascinating!
After seeing the sloths we went to a pristine carribean beach with large waves crashing on shore. About an hour was spent body-surfing, with another hour devoted to checking out things around the island. We saw waves crashing on rocks, loads of cutter-ants transporting leaves, many lizards, and two poison-dart frogs, all in their natural environment.
Poison dart frogs! I could barely believe it, the two we saw were red and about the size of a nickel. If any of you knew me when I was a kid you would know I have a collection of frog things including books, shirts, and about 100+ plastic frogs. Literally obsessed with them, and i still remember some of the scientific names of the frogs. Phylobates terribilis for instance is the msot poisonous in the world. Needless to keep going on, but worth saying I was SO PUMPED.
After leaving the island we went snorkeling again at a different place and saw a lot of great fish. Every time I find myself looking at underwater life I see new things, it is truly the last great frontier.
We ended the night with an excellent Thanksgiving dinner prepared by the collaboration of two hostels. The very cheap meal included everything you would find on a plate in the states and truly was a taste of home. It was an incredible experience to share it in Panama with so many others.
I will start by saying happy thanksgiving!
I will transcribe events as they happened in order beginning with last night. Last night we went to a bar on the water, essentially a large dock. It was pretty fun with very cheap drinks and beautiful views. The most notable thing is there was a roof you could jump off into the water. It was heaps of fun, and we did backflips into the water.
We woke up early this morning, had free pancakes and coffee, then boarded a boat for a $20 tour. The tour started by taking us to an area frequently frequented by dolphins that like to eat the jellyfish in the water there. We saw about 10 dolphins including 2 that loved the boats wake when the boat drove in circles. They kept leaping out of the water, playing like little kids on the wave.
After the dolphins we went snorkeling for about an hour and saw a lot of great sealife. There were many colorful fish, urchins, fantastic soft corral, starfish, and even some seaslugs. After diving and haphazardly deciding that I am going to become a marine biologist when I return to the states, we had an excellent seafood lunch. I had a giant portion of calamari and loved every bite.
We departed the island and pulled up on a seemingly obscure shore. So many of the small islands are so thick with mangroves it is not possible to do anything. They are a jail of twisted roots and branches with nobody entering or exiting. The shore we pulled up to had an interesting inlet with a variety of large trees. There we saw nearly 7 three-toed sloths chilling in the branches. One the boat pulled up close to, and the sloth moved away very slooooooowly. Sloths are sooo unique, and can not survive a life on the ground. The muscles they have are only fit for moving about the jungle canopy or swimming. If they find themselves on the ground they are too weak to support themselves. Fascinating!
After seeing the sloths we went to a pristine carribean beach with large waves crashing on shore. About an hour was spent body-surfing, with another hour devoted to checking out things around the island. We saw waves crashing on rocks, loads of cutter-ants transporting leaves, many lizards, and two poison-dart frogs, all in their natural environment.
Poison dart frogs! I could barely believe it, the two we saw were red and about the size of a nickel. If any of you knew me when I was a kid you would know I have a collection of frog things including books, shirts, and about 100+ plastic frogs. Literally obsessed with them, and i still remember some of the scientific names of the frogs. Phylobates terribilis for instance is the msot poisonous in the world. Needless to keep going on, but worth saying I was SO PUMPED.
After leaving the island we went snorkeling again at a different place and saw a lot of great fish. Every time I find myself looking at underwater life I see new things, it is truly the last great frontier.
We ended the night with an excellent Thanksgiving dinner prepared by the collaboration of two hostels. The very cheap meal included everything you would find on a plate in the states and truly was a taste of home. It was an incredible experience to share it in Panama with so many others.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Bocas del Toro
In the off chance that anybody actually reads this blog here is an update!
We just arrived at Bocas del Toro and checked into our hostel which is pretty sweet mind you. The overnight to Bocas filled up so we took a quasi-overnight to David instead which is due south of Bocas by a few hours. Like bus terminals in other countries I have traveled to the Albrook station was like a small airport. In keeping with a tradition I have done twice in my life now I bought Dunkin Donuts before our ride. We stayed in a purple hostel in David that literally was everything purple. Cups, sheets, walls, floors, and attire here were all the infamous color. WE then took a bus to the coastal region, and a 30 minute water taxi to the town of Bocas on Isla Colon. Strangely enough the town is called Bocas, the region referred to as Bocas, and most people seem to also refer to this island as Bocas.
The ride to David was pretty nice and the bus was the nicest I have been on for an overnight to date. For some strange reason there was a rule that you could not eat while on the bus. This rule we did not follow. Also I was told after drinking a beer that I could not drink a beer on the bus. I felt this was unjust as I had proved already that it was entirely possible. Speaking of beers there are four main Panama brews that I will briefly comment on.
Panama: Crisp and refreshing, rolling-rock-esque. Not so fantastic when it gets warm which occurs in less than three minutes around these parts.
Atlas: Best of Panama and Balboa are sold out, but still refreshing in the Panamanian heat.
Soberana: I try to avoid this beer if possible. Imagine avoiding a beer, it just occurred to me that this is a weird concept. Soberana will leave you Sober because you are left halfway through with a desire to not drink anymore.
Balboa: Hands down the best Panamanian beer. Great taste, refreshing, and it even has a cool looking logo.
We are staying at the hostel heike tonight which has a super chill atmosphere, great drink specials, hammocks galore, and super great weather. Time to find some food and some tropical water.
We just arrived at Bocas del Toro and checked into our hostel which is pretty sweet mind you. The overnight to Bocas filled up so we took a quasi-overnight to David instead which is due south of Bocas by a few hours. Like bus terminals in other countries I have traveled to the Albrook station was like a small airport. In keeping with a tradition I have done twice in my life now I bought Dunkin Donuts before our ride. We stayed in a purple hostel in David that literally was everything purple. Cups, sheets, walls, floors, and attire here were all the infamous color. WE then took a bus to the coastal region, and a 30 minute water taxi to the town of Bocas on Isla Colon. Strangely enough the town is called Bocas, the region referred to as Bocas, and most people seem to also refer to this island as Bocas.
The ride to David was pretty nice and the bus was the nicest I have been on for an overnight to date. For some strange reason there was a rule that you could not eat while on the bus. This rule we did not follow. Also I was told after drinking a beer that I could not drink a beer on the bus. I felt this was unjust as I had proved already that it was entirely possible. Speaking of beers there are four main Panama brews that I will briefly comment on.
Panama: Crisp and refreshing, rolling-rock-esque. Not so fantastic when it gets warm which occurs in less than three minutes around these parts.
Atlas: Best of Panama and Balboa are sold out, but still refreshing in the Panamanian heat.
Soberana: I try to avoid this beer if possible. Imagine avoiding a beer, it just occurred to me that this is a weird concept. Soberana will leave you Sober because you are left halfway through with a desire to not drink anymore.
Balboa: Hands down the best Panamanian beer. Great taste, refreshing, and it even has a cool looking logo.
We are staying at the hostel heike tonight which has a super chill atmosphere, great drink specials, hammocks galore, and super great weather. Time to find some food and some tropical water.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
arrive de michael
Mike Willi arrived last night and we ended up having perfect timing when I met him at Tocumen International. We relaxed at the hostel for a bit and then went out for drinks with some friends I had met on San Blas, Stefan, Biorn, Fleur, and Marcus. We had a fantastic time and it was a great celebration welcoming Willi to Panama.
Traveling so far has been truly incredible, especially build confidence traveling alone. To me traveling is so beautiful and is somewhat like a drug that changes the way your mind works. So many distinct feelings and emotions I seem to only feel when I am away. Meeting so many others traveling and reminiscing about trips past does nothing but add fuel to my wanderlust fire. Each time I find myself traveling in a foreign place I wonder where I will end up next trip.
Tonight we are taking an overnight bus to Bocas del Toro in Western Panama. Google it and you may find you would like to join!
¨It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.¨-J.R.R. Tolkien
Traveling so far has been truly incredible, especially build confidence traveling alone. To me traveling is so beautiful and is somewhat like a drug that changes the way your mind works. So many distinct feelings and emotions I seem to only feel when I am away. Meeting so many others traveling and reminiscing about trips past does nothing but add fuel to my wanderlust fire. Each time I find myself traveling in a foreign place I wonder where I will end up next trip.
Tonight we are taking an overnight bus to Bocas del Toro in Western Panama. Google it and you may find you would like to join!
¨It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.¨-J.R.R. Tolkien
Sunday, November 22, 2009
excellent first post!
So clearly I was in a bit of a crunch for time on my first post seeing as i mispelled Panama and wrote many incomplete sentences.
This keyboard is hell so this will be short also.
Panama city: Right now I can see over 17 high rises with cranes atop working day and night to build them. The city skyline is truly remarkable to witness, and the best news is my hostel has a great view out my window, which is actually two 20 feet high doors.
Kuna Yala: So I was in the Archipelago de San Blas while I was there to clarify. It consists of over 400 islands most of which are very small. The Kuna choose to inhabit just a small number of them, and many consist of one room of sand and 4-5 palm trees. The Kuna won "independence from Panama" in 1925 and are essentially governing themselves. They have their own judicial system, democracy, and way of life. They control their own infrastructure, or lack there-of, and maintain accurate border controls. However they are part of Panama would any major issue occur they are covered under Panamaian jurtisdiction. Pretty interesting deal if you ask me. When Panama gained indepence from the U.S., Colombians essentially supplied the Kuna with arms in order to gain protection for Cocaine shipments to Central America, but mainly the U.S.
Most of this I have read, or heard from a local source so read it with a grain of salt. Speaking of which I had my first shower of the trip today and it was immaculate!
This keyboard is hell so this will be short also.
Panama city: Right now I can see over 17 high rises with cranes atop working day and night to build them. The city skyline is truly remarkable to witness, and the best news is my hostel has a great view out my window, which is actually two 20 feet high doors.
Kuna Yala: So I was in the Archipelago de San Blas while I was there to clarify. It consists of over 400 islands most of which are very small. The Kuna choose to inhabit just a small number of them, and many consist of one room of sand and 4-5 palm trees. The Kuna won "independence from Panama" in 1925 and are essentially governing themselves. They have their own judicial system, democracy, and way of life. They control their own infrastructure, or lack there-of, and maintain accurate border controls. However they are part of Panama would any major issue occur they are covered under Panamaian jurtisdiction. Pretty interesting deal if you ask me. When Panama gained indepence from the U.S., Colombians essentially supplied the Kuna with arms in order to gain protection for Cocaine shipments to Central America, but mainly the U.S.
Most of this I have read, or heard from a local source so read it with a grain of salt. Speaking of which I had my first shower of the trip today and it was immaculate!
panama!
This blog will not have any pictures because i do not have a camera connaection device with me. Panama so far is incredible and I have very much enjoyed traveling alone, though it seemed daunting in the beginning.
Some things that have happened thus far:
Tuesday
Flew into Panama City with no plans and asked the taxi for a great hostel...ended up in a great hostel. $11 a night with free internet, plenty of hammocks, and nice people to meet from all over.
Wednesday:
Walked around Panama City for about 4 hours and got a good feel for how to get around. Then met from travelers from Yosemite, shared from beers, and went out to dinner at a place named Las Vegas, which if you have been to Banaue may seem strange. On a whim decide that tomorrow I am going to Kuna Yala.
Thursday:
Leave my hostel at 5a.m. and get in a 4x4 with two Germans, two Canadiens, and one Israeli. Drive out of the city, and an hour later turn onto this nearly impassable mountain road with multiple hills steeper than a 20percent gradient. (gross estimation deemed so by me grabbing on for life multiple times) After the border crossing into Kuna Yala, yes Kuna Yala is not Panama, hop on a boat with some Kuna, and a boat operator wearing a hat that says ¨fuck off.¨
about 2 miles later arrive at a makeshift docking area, board a different boat with two Swedes, and an American and pass through mangrove swamps and out to the open sea. Bear in mind my description of the boat would be, ¨marginal.¨Immediately the boat breaks, the operator tears the engine apart, and gets it working again. We then battle some rougher seas, while making two seemingly meaningless stops on opposite ends of a random Kuna island. 90 minutes later we arrive on Isla Robinson, and there I spent the next few days napping in hammocks, snorkeling, sleeping in a bamboo hut, playing cards, and drinking rum with friends that I had made along the way. Later that day a boat went down not far from out island, and all the members ended up on Isla Robinson after a good rescue effort by the locals. No one was harmed, just a lot of wet baggage.
Small world story: on the boat that sank was Kevin, the night manager of the Harrisonburg Wal`Mart!
The island has no electricity and is about 1 square mile large. This induced me feeling like a zombie around 10 every night and going to bed around 10:30 thinking it was about 4 am. The first two days we had perfect weather, but it rained almost all of Saturday. The stars were some of the best I have seen since leaving the Philippines.
Sunday:
I departed after hearing accounts of sunken jeeps, and wrecked boats upon the path in which I entered Kuna Yala, and saw that the river was nearly destroyed the day before by an over abundance of rain. I am now back safe in Panama City, staying in Casco Viejo in a hostel overlooking the city skyline. Casco Viejo is the old town and has brick streets and narrow corridors.
I will write more later!
Some things that have happened thus far:
Tuesday
Flew into Panama City with no plans and asked the taxi for a great hostel...ended up in a great hostel. $11 a night with free internet, plenty of hammocks, and nice people to meet from all over.
Wednesday:
Walked around Panama City for about 4 hours and got a good feel for how to get around. Then met from travelers from Yosemite, shared from beers, and went out to dinner at a place named Las Vegas, which if you have been to Banaue may seem strange. On a whim decide that tomorrow I am going to Kuna Yala.
Thursday:
Leave my hostel at 5a.m. and get in a 4x4 with two Germans, two Canadiens, and one Israeli. Drive out of the city, and an hour later turn onto this nearly impassable mountain road with multiple hills steeper than a 20percent gradient. (gross estimation deemed so by me grabbing on for life multiple times) After the border crossing into Kuna Yala, yes Kuna Yala is not Panama, hop on a boat with some Kuna, and a boat operator wearing a hat that says ¨fuck off.¨
about 2 miles later arrive at a makeshift docking area, board a different boat with two Swedes, and an American and pass through mangrove swamps and out to the open sea. Bear in mind my description of the boat would be, ¨marginal.¨Immediately the boat breaks, the operator tears the engine apart, and gets it working again. We then battle some rougher seas, while making two seemingly meaningless stops on opposite ends of a random Kuna island. 90 minutes later we arrive on Isla Robinson, and there I spent the next few days napping in hammocks, snorkeling, sleeping in a bamboo hut, playing cards, and drinking rum with friends that I had made along the way. Later that day a boat went down not far from out island, and all the members ended up on Isla Robinson after a good rescue effort by the locals. No one was harmed, just a lot of wet baggage.
Small world story: on the boat that sank was Kevin, the night manager of the Harrisonburg Wal`Mart!
The island has no electricity and is about 1 square mile large. This induced me feeling like a zombie around 10 every night and going to bed around 10:30 thinking it was about 4 am. The first two days we had perfect weather, but it rained almost all of Saturday. The stars were some of the best I have seen since leaving the Philippines.
Sunday:
I departed after hearing accounts of sunken jeeps, and wrecked boats upon the path in which I entered Kuna Yala, and saw that the river was nearly destroyed the day before by an over abundance of rain. I am now back safe in Panama City, staying in Casco Viejo in a hostel overlooking the city skyline. Casco Viejo is the old town and has brick streets and narrow corridors.
I will write more later!
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